The snow started earlier than expected yesterday and had no mercy before transitioning over to freezing rain and then rain. The city received approximately 10 centimetres of snow accumulation with higher amounts in localized areas. Crews have been going all night and passed the baton to the day shift early this morning. The goal today is clean up!
Forecast and conditions
Environment Canada has lifted the Winter Storm Warning and no alerts are in effect. The temperature remains above zero and rain or drizzle is expected to end this morning with a chance of rain showers or flurries into the afternoon. The daytime high is expected to reach 4 degrees today, but cold air returns tonight and a sharp drop in temperature with a wind chill value near minus 12 expected. This will create icy and slippery conditions on the transportation network.
Conditions are wet and slushy today. Residents are reminded to take care when walking, driving or cycling on the transportation network.
Our response
Supervisors continue to monitor the transportation network. All resources are deployed, and as we progress through the day, crews will continue to treat and clear sidewalks, priority roads and the winter cycling network. Crews started clearing residential streets earlier this morning and will continue throughout the day and into the evening. They will also focus on cleaning up any problem areas such as bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, pedestrian islands, corners and cul de sacs. As a reminder, the snow is wet and heavy so it will take crews longer to get through the entire transportation network, but rest assured, they are hard at work.
The Roads and Parking Services team has reported drainage issues across the city and as such, supervisors are out monitoring areas that are prone to localized flooding, and will address any water pooling through ensuring that catch basins and ditches are open and able to take in water.
In the meantime, we are asking for anyone who can to please ensure that your local catch basin is clear and able to take in water. With over 100,000 catch basins in the City, we cannot do it alone and would appreciate any support you can offer.
Find your nearest catch basin using our catch basin locator map. Need to report a blocked catch basin? Let us know!
Winter weather parking ban is in effect
A Winter Weather Parking Ban is in effect until 7 pm tonight. When vehicles are removed from our streets, the Roads and Parking Services team can clear snow efficiently to create a wide open roadway.
During this time, all vehicles must be removed from the roadway - unless you have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets. Though eligible parking permit holders are exempt, we encourage those who can, to remove their vehicles to prevent them from being snowed in. The City of Ottawa has added an additional 18 parking lots for residents to park during a parking ban. Vehicles may remain parked at these sites for the duration of the ban and must be removed after the City announces that the ban has been lifted. Information on all parking options during a winter weather parking ban is available on Ottawa.ca/winterparking.
Residents can stay in the know about our winter weather parking bans by signing up for e-alerts at Ottawa.ca, or by downloading the City of Ottawa app.
Next steps
The Roads and Parking Services team is now tracking a potential winter storm headed for the capital overnight Friday into Saturday with considerable snow accumulation expected. You can expect an update regarding this winter storm and our response as it moves closer to our region.
